Draw with Georgian GM keeps Popov at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed GM Ivan Popov of Russia drew with Georgian GM Levan Pantsulaia in the sixth round to stay in the lead in the PSC-Puregold International Chess Challenge at Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City late Wednesday.

Popov improved his total to five points and kept his lead over Pantsulaia, Armenian GM Avetik Grigoryan, Filipino GMs John Paul Gomez and Julio Catalino Sadorra, and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who all have 4.5 points.

Grigoryan beat Filipino GM Richard Bitoon in 46 moves of an English Opening: Caro-Kann, enabling the No. 4 seed to draw level with Pantsulaia, winner of the recent Philippine International Chess Championship.

Gomez and Sadorra also drew their match.

Garcia, stalwart of Ateneo, beat Indian IM Narayanan Suriduth Lyna after 34 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined. Bunched at four points are Filipino GM Oliver Barbosa, Russian GM Anton Demchenko, Georgian GM Merab Gahunashvili and Filipino IM Haridas Pascua.